In Pictures: The Construction Of Tower Bridge

What do you get when you cross eight years, five major contractors, 432 construction workers, 11,000 tons of steel and a shedload of Cornish granite and Portland stone? Tower Bridge of course — designed by City architect Sir Horace Jones, who later went on to do Leadenhall and Billingsgate markets. Opened in 1894, we can't quite believe the work that went into getting this London icon off the ground.

Tower Bridge, 1892
Source Eric G. E. Zuelow

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The construction of Tower Bridge, 1889
Source Historicengland

View of Tower Bridge as building continues with river traffic in the foreground in 1893
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Tower Bridge construction, 1892
Source Jackieboy86

Tower Bridge
Source Thames Baths C.I.C.

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Adding the finishing touches
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Tower Bridge under construction, 1893
Source Old Pics Archive

Tower Bridge, 1894
Source Buildingtalk

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Construction of Tower Bridge, 1892
Source Londoninsight

The first pier starts to take shape over the River Thames in 1886



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Source Old Pics Archive

1893
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Three years into the project
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Sorting the roofs
Source Old Pics Archive

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Construction of Tower Bridge, c.1886
Source History Unseen